Multi-face, multi-event, orientation sensor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and a computer implemented method for monitoring and recording the orientation data for an object. The orientation apparatus comprises an outer casing. Inside the outer casing is an orientation device that comprises six chambers, with a ball sensor in each chamber, and a ball. The orientation apparatus also comprises a data recorder for recording an event history of the orientation device, and a communicator for conveying the event history.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 11/608,636 filed on Dec. 8, 2006 and entitled SIXFACE, MULTI-EVENT, ORIENTATION SENSOR, the entire contents of which isexpressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The illustrative embodiments relate generally to an apparatus, amonitoring system, and a computer implemented method for detecting anorientation of an object, and in particular, to an apparatus and amethod for monitoring and recording the orientation data for an object.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mercury switches are historically used in electrically controlledmechanical systems, wherein the physical orientation of actuators orrotors is a factor. Mercury switches are also commonly used in vendingmachines that have ‘tilt alarms’. When the machine is rocked or tiltedin an attempt to gain a product, the mercury switch activates, soundingan alarm. A conventional tilt switch includes a glass envelope thatcontains a ball of mercury. A pair of electrodes is situated at one endof the envelope. The mercury forms an electrical contact between theelectrodes. The electrical contact occurs when the switch is oriented sothat the mercury extends to the ends of the envelope containing theelectrodes. The mercury acts as a conductor, passing electricity fromone electrode to the other. In certain applications, it is important tomeasure whether an electronic device is oriented upwards, downwards, orat an angle in between. For some applications, it is possible to use anumber of conventional tilt switches together, where each tilt switch ismounted on a different orientation so that the closing or opening of aparticular switch may take up significant real estate in the device. Theindividual switches must typically be mounted in precise orientationrelative to each other in order for the combination of tilt switches tobe effective.

Another type of orientation switch or tilt sensor is historically foundin pinball machines. The sensor consists of a metal ring with acone-shaped pendulum bob hanging through the center of it. Normally, thebob hangs so that none of the bob is touching the ring. As the pinballmachine is shaken, the bob moves closer to the edges of the conductivering. Once the bob touches the ring, a current is transferred and a tiltis registered.

Another type of orientation switch is a ball and socket switch. Ball andsocket switches depend upon the force of gravity, and are characterizedby a deviation from a base plane. This deviation forms a particularposition of the base plane with respect to the force of gravity in acertain direction. The particular position of the base plane withrespect to the force of gravity is the rest position of the base plane.Ball and socket switches of this kind are used to signal the deviationof an object from a given rest or operating position, and they may alsobe used to produce switching or control commands that depend on aposition or a setting. Such a switch may be incorporated into portableappliances or equipment, especially fan heaters, irons, and the like.The ball and socket switches monitor the operating position of theequipment, and then cut off the current supply whenever the applianceassumes a position other than the normal operating position of theappliance.

Known tilt devices record a tip over in only one or two axes. Most tipdevices only record a single tip event, and many tilt devices do notrecord when the event occurs, or the duration of the improperorientation.

SUMMARY

The illustrative embodiments provide for an apparatus and a computerimplemented method for monitoring and recording the orientation data foran object. The orientation apparatus comprises an outer casing. Insidethe outer casing is an orientation device that comprises six chambers,with a ball sensor in each chamber, and a ball. The orientationapparatus also comprises a data recorder for storing an event history ofthe orientation device, and a communicator for conveying the eventhistory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asa preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of the apparatus for detecting,recording, and communicating orientation data as incorporated into anobject in accordance with the illustrative embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of the apparatus for detecting,recording, and communicating the orientation data for an object inaccordance with the illustrative embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of an outer surface of the chambersarea of the orientation apparatus in accordance with the illustrativeembodiments;

FIG. 4 depicts an orientation apparatus in a transparent outer casing inaccordance with the illustrative embodiments;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross section of a second embodiment of the orientationapparatus that shows the inner parts of four of the six chambers of theorientation device in accordance with the illustrative embodiments;

FIG. 6 depicts a cross sectional view of a chamber in a secondembodiment of the orientation apparatus illustrating the ball tunnelopenings in the wide end of a chamber in accordance with theillustrative embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows an example orientation output formed by the apparatus inaccordance with the illustrative embodiments; and

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart that illustrates a method of a top-levelprocess flow for detecting, recording, and communicating orientationdata according to the illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a see through view of the second embodiment of the orientationapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus and a computerimplemented method for monitoring and recording the orientation data foran object. The apparatus comprises an orientation device, which detectsthe orientation of the object, a data recorder that keeps a record ofthe orientation of the object over time, and a method of communicatingthe orientation history to the user in an event history. One embodimentof the illustrative invention may communicate an alarm if the apparatussenses an improper orientation.

Another embodiment of the orientation apparatus may have, but is notlimited to, an outer casing of roughly a cube shape. The cube houses anorientation device comprising six chambers. The cube may also house theinstrumentation required for recording and communicating the orientationhistory of the object. Alternatively, the instrumentation may be locatedwithin the body of the casing, or may be remotely located.

Each of the six chambers terminates at a different center face of thecube. The six chamber device has a ball inside. The ball is free to rollaround inside of the six chamber structure, influenced by gravity. Whenthe ball comes to rest in the tip of the one chamber that is facingdownward, the ball sensor senses the ball in the chamber tip and anevent is recorded. The ball sensor may be a pressure sensor.

Alternatively, the ball may be metal and when the ball is contacted byelectrodes in the tip of the chamber, a circuit is completed and theball is sensed. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate thatthere are other methods of implementing a ball sensor and that otherball sensors are within the scope of the illustrative embodiments.

With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference toFIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of the apparatus for detecting,recording, and communicating orientation data as incorporated into anobject, in accordance with the illustrative embodiments. Object 102 maybe any object in which the orientation of the object is of interest. Forexample, object 102 may be a motor vehicle, a piece of militaryequipment, a large computer system, a self correcting robot or a selfguided vehicle, to enumerate a few. Other important objects may beshipping containers or tankers that contain hazardous material. If theorientation apparatus is connected to a global positioning satellite(GPS) device and a communication device, the apparatus may inform thefirst responders whether the container has been tipped over, therebynotifying the first responders of a potential hazard. Orientationapparatus 104 may be incorporated into object 102 by attaching theapparatus within the body of object 102 as shown in this example.Orientation apparatus 104 may also be attached to the outside of theobject. Further, orientation apparatus 104 may be attached to theoutside or inside of the object's packing material. Orientationapparatus 104 may also be equipped with a magnetic side to attach to theinside or outside of a metal container.

Orientation apparatus 104 may have an on/off switch, such as switch 106.Orientation apparatus 104 may also have an indicator light, such asindicator light 108, which indicates whether there has been tiltactivity. For example, indicator light 108 may be green if orientationapparatus 104 is activated and there has been no tipping activity ortime event. Indicator light 108 may be red if the orientation apparatusis activated and there has been a tipping event. An indicator may be anystatus indicator.

Touchpad 110 and display screen 112 may optionally be included inorientation apparatus 104. Communication through touchpad 110 anddisplay screen 112 may provide the complete history of the orientationof object 102.

Antenna 114 may be optionally included in orientation apparatus 104 toallow for remote communication of the orientation data to remoteprocessing unit 116. Remote processing unit 116 may be the processingunit that initially stores the orientation data and provides the userinterface for orientation apparatus 104. Alternatively, remoteprocessing unit 116 may receive processed data from the orientationapparatus from a processor located locally to orientation apparatus 104.

Orientation apparatus 104 may also communicate to remote processingsystem 116 through radio frequency identifiers (RFID), personal areanetworks (Bluetooth), a universal serial bus (USB) port, a local areanetwork (LAN) line, portable memory such as a magnetic, optical or solidstate disks, or using any another data transferal system, as representedby data carrier 118. Orientation apparatus 104 may store the orientationinformation on a chip or other type of portable memory carried withinthe casing of orientation apparatus 104. Alternatively orientationapparatus 104 may convey orientation information externally to arecording device via a wired connection or wireless connection. Althoughthe depicted representation shows a simple box, other embodiments may beimplemented in other types and shapes of outer casings.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an orientation apparatus in accordancewith the illustrative embodiments. Orientation apparatus 200, such asorientation apparatus 104 in FIG. 1, includes instrumentation block 202.Instrumentation block 202 is a data processing block with optionalcomponents. In the depicted example, instrumentation block 202 employs ahub architecture including a north bridge and memory controller hub(MCH) 204 and a south bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (ICH)206. Processing unit 208, main memory 210, and graphics processor 212are coupled to north bridge and memory controller hub 204. Processingunit 208 may contain one or more processors and even may be implementedusing one or more heterogeneous processor systems. Graphics processor212 may be coupled to the MCH through an accelerated graphics port(AGP), for example.

In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter 214 is coupledto south bridge and I/O controller hub 206, audio adapter 216, keyboardand mouse adapter 218, modem 220, read only memory (ROM) 222, universalserial bus (USB) ports, and other communications ports 224. PCI/PCIedevices 226 are coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 206through bus 228. Disk drive (HDD) 230 and CD-ROM drive 232 are coupledto south bridge and I/O controller hub 204 through bus 234.

PCI/PCIe devices may include, for example, Ethernet adapters, add-incards, and PC cards for notebook computers. PCI uses a card buscontroller, while PCIe does not. ROM 222 may be, for example, a flashbinary input/output system (BIOS). Disk drive 230 and CD-ROM drive 232may use, for example, an integrated drive electronics (IDE) or serialadvanced technology attachment (SATA) interface. A super I/O (SIO)device 234 may be coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 204.

An operating system runs on processing unit 208. This operating systemcoordinates and controls various components within instrumentation block202 in FIG. 2. The operating system may be a commercially availableoperating system, such as Microsoft® Windows XP®. (Microsoft® andWindows XP® are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the UnitedStates, other countries, or both). An object oriented programmingsystem, such as the Java™ programming system, may run in conjunctionwith the operating system and provides calls to the operating systemfrom Java™ programs or applications executing on instrumentation block202. Java™ and all Java-based trademarks are trademarks of SunMicrosystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both.

Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented programmingsystem, and applications or programs are located on storage devices,such as disk drive 230. These instructions and may be loaded into mainmemory 210 for execution by processing unit 208. The processes of theillustrative embodiments may be performed by processing unit 208 usingcomputer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory. Anexample of a memory is main memory 210, read only memory 222, or in oneor more peripheral devices.

Data transfer may take place between orientation apparatus 200 and othercomputers in one embodiment by transferring removable storage media. I/Ocontroller 206 is attached to communication bus 228. I/O controller 206may control the communication of the orientation data.

Orientation apparatus 200 may optionally include a graphical userinterface (GUI) that may be implemented by means of system softwareresiding in computer readable media in operation within instrumentationblock 202. A graphics processor may be coupled to the processing unitthrough an accelerated graphics port (AGP), for example. Orientationapparatus 200 may display the graphics on a display screen, such asdisplay screen 112 in FIG. 1.

Orientation apparatus 200 may also have a touch pad and or a mouseadapter, a modem, read only memory (ROM), universal serial bus (USB)ports, and other communications ports. Instrumentation block 202coordinates and controls various components within orientation apparatus200.

Orientation apparatus 200 also has power supply 240. Power supply 240may be a set of batteries. On/Off switch 242 controls power supply 240.Indicator light 244, communicates with instrumentation block 202 and ispowered by power supply 240. Sensors 246 communicate withinstrumentation block 202. Antenna 248, touch pad 250, and displayscreen 252 all interface with instrumentation block 202.

The hardware shown in FIG. 2 may vary depending on the implementation ofthe illustrated embodiments. Other internal hardware or peripheraldevices, such as flash memory, equivalent non-volatile memory, oroptical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in placeof the hardware depicted in FIG. 2. Examples of additional optionalinput devices include a touch screen, a trackball, and the like.Further, other embodiments may comprise other configurations of acommunication block, a storage block, or a processor unit ininstrumentation block 202. In other words, the instrumentation block 202may have only one of a communication block, a storage block or aprocessor unit or may have any combination of a communication block,storage block and processor unit.

Other components shown in FIG. 2 can be varied from the illustrativeexamples shown. For example, a bus system may be comprised of one ormore buses, such as a system bus, an I/O bus, and a PCI bus. Of course,the bus system may be implemented using any suitable type ofcommunications fabric or architecture that provides for a transfer ofdata between different components or devices attached to the fabric orarchitecture. Additionally, a communications unit may include one ormore devices used to transmit and receive data, such as a modem or anetwork adapter. Also, a processing unit may include one or moreprocessors or CPUs.

The depicted examples in FIG. 2 are not meant to imply architecturallimitations. In addition, the illustrative embodiments provide for acomputer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program codefor compiling source code and for executing code.

Next, FIG. 3 depicts a pictorial representation of an outer surface ofthe chambers area of the orientation apparatus in accordance with theillustrative embodiments. Chambers area 300 of the orientation apparatushas three axes. Axis 302, axis 304, and axis 306 intersect in a roughlyspherical center region 308 of chambers area 300, and each axis isperpendicular to the others. Each axis has two radian chambers thatstretch from center region 308 of the structure outward. Each chamber isroughly conically shaped with narrow end 310 of the chamber towards theouter casing, and wide end 312 towards center region 308. Anotherembodiment may have, for example, a taper of 5 to 15 degrees from theflat tip of the cone to the opposing end of the cone. There are six suchconical chambers in the orientation device. In another embodiment, thechambers may be pyramid shaped.

The chambers are designed to allow the free transfer of ball 314throughout the chambers. Ball 314, influenced by gravity, falls down tothe tip of the chamber that is oriented down. In one embodiment ofchambers area 300, the inner structure of the device is substantiallyhollow. The tip of each chamber contains a ball sensor, such as ballsensor 316. Ball sensor 316 may be any type of sensor capable of sensingball 314, such as an electrical contact or pressure switch. Ball sensor316 communicates sensor information to an instrumentation block, such asinstrumentation block 202 in FIG. 2, located outside of chambers area300.

FIG. 4 shows an orientation apparatus in a transparent outer casingaccording to the illustrative embodiments. Looking now at FIG. 4, thechambers area 402, such as chambers area 302 in FIG. 3, is surrounded byouter casing 404. Outer casing 404 is transparent and cubical in thisembodiment. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat outer casing 404 may be made of many types of materials, bothtransparent and opaque, and may be of another shape. In one embodiment,instrumentation block 406 may be located outside of chambers area 402and inside of outer casing 404. Other components and optional componentssuch as power supply 408, indicator light 410, and alarm signal 412 mayalso be located outside chambers area 402 and inside, or partiallyinside, outer casing 404. In another embodiment, instrumentation block406 and other components may be located outside of outer casing 404.

The orientation apparatus may trigger a type of audible alarm if theorientation sensor detects the product in an unsafe position.Alternatively, or additionally, the orientation apparatus may light anindicator light, or cause a color change of an indicator light. Thus,the orientation sensor system may give a real time alarm to a productcarrier or a user, and the orientation sensor system may store theinformation for future reference.

FIG. 5 is a depiction of a cross section of a second embodiment of theorientation apparatus that shows the inner parts of four of the sixchambers of the orientation device in accordance with the illustrativeembodiments. The chambers not depicted in the figure are perpendicularto the depicted chambers. Therefore, there is one chamber not depictedcoming out of the page and another chamber not depicted going into thepage. Each chamber may be identical. Cross section chambers area 500shows sensor A 501 in chamber A, sensor B 502 in chamber B, sensor C 503in chamber C, and sensor D 504 in chamber D. Sensor E in chamber E,going into the page, and sensor F in chamber F, coming out of the page,are not depicted. Ball tunnel 506 is depicted as a tunnel slightlylarger than ball 508, which allows ball 508 to move freely through balltunnel 506 into an adjacent chamber. Holes 510 depict openings for balltunnels into chamber E. Holes for ball tunnels opening into chamber Fare not depicted. Material 512 may be the same solid material of whichthe chambers are comprised, or may be another material.

FIG. 6 depicts a cross sectional view of a chamber in a secondembodiment of the orientation apparatus illustrating the ball tunnelopenings in the wide end of a chamber in accordance with theillustrative embodiments. FIG. 6 shows outer chamber wall 602 in acircular configuration, and four openings 604, 606, 608, and 610 insolid material 612. Each opening indicates a ball tunnel, such as balltunnel 506 of FIG. 5, into an adjacent channel. The tunnel is wideenough for the ball to move freely through the tunnel to an adjacentchamber. The tunnel configuration aids in reducing sensor readings thatmay indicate a change in orientation when the orientation device hasexperienced a vibration or bounce. The walls of each tunnel may beconstructed to ensure that the ball will not rest in any portion of thetunnel. Further inside the chamber (not depicted), the tunnels open intothe single chamber with a ball sensor, such as ball sensor B 502 in FIG.5, at the tip of the chamber.

FIG. 7 shows an example orientation output formed by the apparatus inaccordance with the illustrative embodiments. The example output may bedisplayed on a small graphic display screen, such as display screen 112in FIG. 1. Event history 700 displays three events, and indicates thecurrent orientation of the object. The events may be displayed one at atime on the graphics screen, or the user may scroll through the data onthe display screen. According to event history 700, record 702 shows thecurrent position of the object is chamber E downward. The packaging maybe lettered to indicate the face of the object, or the nomenclature ofthe event history may be more user readable. For example, the displaymay indicate the object is upside down rather than chamber E downward.The current event shows an alarm is indicated. In the event of an alarm,different embodiments of the orientation apparatus may responddifferently. Some examples of an alarm may be an audible bell, a colorchange in an indicator light, a communication to a specific user, and/ora broadcast communication to a group of users.

Scrolling event history 700 back through time, event 3 704 took place onApr. 18, 2006 at 17:43 pm. The object was oriented with chamber A downfor 25 hours and 0 minutes. In this example, chamber A down is thecorrect orientation for the object, therefore no alarm is indicated forevent 3 704. Event 2 706 took place on Apr. 18, 2006 at 17:20 pm. Theobject was oriented with chamber B down for 23 minutes. This was thefirst event in which an alarm was indicated. Event 1 708 took place onApr. 18, 2006 at 7:50 am. The object was oriented with chamber A downfor 9 hours and 30 minutes. No alarm was indicated, again becausechamber A down is the correct orientation for the object.

This example shows a simple output as may be shown on a small displayscreen. However, in other embodiments the orientation data history maybe displayed with more or less detail. The processing of the data mayalso be more complex. Bounces and jolts that the object experiences maybe recorded and interpreted by user configurable software. An example ofthe software logic may be that, if a sensor senses the ball, then doesnot sense the ball for less than three seconds, then senses the ballagain, the event may be considered a bounce. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that there are many such computer implementedalgorithms that may be applicable.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates a method of a top-level processflow for detecting, recording, and communicating orientation dataaccording to the illustrative embodiments. The apparatus in the examplemay be an illustrative embodiment that includes an immediate alarmmechanism. The apparatus is activated (step 802). The user may flip aswitch that activates the apparatus, or in another embodiment, theapparatus may receive a signal that causes activation. The apparatusdetermines the current orientation of the object (step 804). Thedetermination is made based on input from the sensors located in the tipof each chamber.

The apparatus records the current orientation, date, time, and durationof the current event (step 806). Next, the apparatus determines whetheran alarm condition is met (step 808). If yes, an alarm condition is met(yes output to step 808), the alarm is indicated (step 810), and theapparatus updates the current duration (step 812). Returning to step808, if an alarm condition is not met (no output to step 808), thecurrent duration is updated (step 812). Next, the apparatus determineswhether the orientation of the object has changed (step 814). If no, theorientation of the object has not changed, then the current duration isupdated (step 812). If yes, the orientation of the object has changed,then the apparatus stores the current event record as the next eventrecord in the sequence (step 816), and returns to determining thecurrent orientation of the object (step 804).

FIG. 9 depicts a see through view of the second embodiment of theorientation apparatus that shows the inner parts of the chambers of theorientation device in accordance with the illustrative embodiments. FIG.9 also shows the location of the cross section depicted by FIG. 5 andthe location of the cross section depicted by FIG. 6.

In another embodiment, the apparatus may determine whether a triggeringcondition is met. A triggering event occurs whenever the ball activatesa different tip sensor; however, the apparatus may merely store theinformation in the event history and not excite an immediate alarm.

The invention can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardwareand software elements. Comment: Please explain the previous sentence.We're not sure how a completely software embodiment applies.Furthermore, the invention can take the form of an apparatus inconjunction with a computer program product accessible from acomputer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code foruse by or in connection with a computer or any instruction executionsystem. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable orcomputer readable medium can be any tangible apparatus that can contain,store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or apropagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable medium include asemiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computerdiskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), arigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of opticaldisks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compactdisk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectlyto memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can includelocal memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulkstorage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code in order to reduce the number of times code must beretrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening I/O controllers.

Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems orremote printers or storage devices through intervening private or publicnetworks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of thecurrently available types of network adapters.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposesof illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention, the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. An orientation apparatus comprising: an outer casing; an orientationdevice within the outer casing, wherein the orientation device comprisesa set of chambers, each chamber having a wide end and a chamber tip, aset of chamber connecting tunnels, each chamber connecting tunnel makinga connection between two adjacent chambers, a ball sensor in eachchamber tip, and a ball; and wherein the wide end of each chambercontains openings in a solid material to one or more of the set ofchamber connecting tunnels for connecting the wide end of each chamberto adjacent chambers; and wherein the ball moves freely through each ofthe chamber connecting tunnels to the openings of adjacent chambers; adata recorder for recording an event history; and a communicator forconveying the event history.
 2. The orientation apparatus of claim 1,wherein each chamber tip terminates in a different face of a cubicallyshaped outer casing; and wherein the ball must first move through atleast one of the adjacent chambers before the ball can move to thechamber on the opposite side of the cube.
 3. The orientation apparatusof claim 1, wherein the data recorder is one of a solid state memory, anoptical disk, or a magnetic disk.
 4. The orientation apparatus of claim1, wherein the data recorder is physically located outside the outercasing.
 5. The orientation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the datarecorder is physically located inside the outer casing.
 6. Theorientation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communicator is physicallyattached to the outer casing.
 7. The orientation apparatus of claim 1,wherein the ball sensor is at least one of a pressure switch, anelectrical contact switch, or an optical switch.
 8. The orientationapparatus of claim 1, wherein the communicator is at least one of a textscreen, an audio signal, an indicator light, or any combination of textscreen, audio signal, and indicator light.
 9. The orientation apparatusof claim 1, wherein the data recorder comprises a processor withinstructions to convert raw sensor data into processed sensor data,wherein the processed sensor data does not include bounce or vibrationsensor data based on the configuration of the chamber connectingtunnels.
 10. An orientation monitoring system comprising: an object ofinterest; an apparatus for monitoring each orientation of the object,wherein the apparatus comprises: an outer casing; an orientation devicewithin the outer casing, wherein the orientation device comprises a setof chambers, each chamber having a wide end and a chamber tip, a set ofchamber connecting tunnels, each chamber connecting tunnel making aconnection between two adjacent chambers, a ball sensor in each chambertip, and a ball; and wherein the wide end of each chamber containsopenings in a solid material to one or more of the set of chamberconnecting tunnels for connecting the wide end of each chamber toadjacent chambers; and wherein the ball moves freely through each of thechamber connecting tunnels to the openings of adjacent chambers; aprocessor for interpreting each orientation of the object, formingorientation information; a storage device for storing orientationinformation; and a user interface for communicating orientationinformation to a user.
 11. The orientation monitoring system of claim10, wherein the processor, storage device, and user interface arelocated within the outer casing.
 12. The orientation monitoring systemof claim 10, wherein the processor, storage device, and user interfaceare located outside of the outer casing.
 13. A computer implementedmethod for monitoring an orientation of an object, the computerimplemented method comprising: interpreting orientation sensor dataassociated with the object, wherein the orientation sensor data is froma device comprising: an outer casing; an orientation device within theouter casing, wherein the orientation device comprises a set ofchambers, each chamber having a wide end and a chamber tip, a set ofchamber connecting tunnels, each chamber connecting tunnel making aconnection between two adjacent chambers, a ball sensor in each chambertip, and a ball; and wherein the wide end of each chamber containsopenings in a solid material to one or more of the set of chamberconnecting tunnels for connecting the wide end of each chamber toadjacent chambers; and wherein the ball moves freely through each of thechamber connecting tunnels to the openings of adjacent chambers; storinga record of each orientation of the object; and communicating a historyof each orientation of the object to a user.
 14. The computerimplemented method of claim 13, wherein interpreting orientation sensordata additionally comprises computer readable instructions foreliminating bounce and vibration data based on the configuration of thechamber connecting tunnels.
 15. The computer implemented method of claim13, wherein interpreting orientation sensor data additionally comprisescomputer readable instructions for creating an event history.